New BFG's at 23,000 miles

[schuvwj]

I had severe cupping on the inside front tires at 23,000 miles and the rear tires were bald on the center tread but the rest of the tread was only worn about 40%.

So I put all new BFG’s from Tirerack.com on her yesterday at the F/M dealer. Bought the same size as the stock rear so I can rotate front to back. No problems with codes or clearance on the front! However they told me the front tire clearance was close but ok. Has anyone tried this with shorter or modified front springs?

The Dealer charged me $60.00 to mount and balance all four and Tirerack.com charged me $83.00 per tire without shipping.

I promised the person who was going to physically mount and balance my tires and rims that I would pay him $10 a rim if he did not scratch them. They looked perfect after he finished so I paid him! He did not want the money and said it was his job but I made him take it. I told him to take is wife out to dinner.

It will be interesting how many miles these tires will last now I can rotate every 5,000 miles.

[Stephen Soulsby]

Got any pics?

[jettle]

schuvwj

I have heard in the past that is your tires are wearing in the middle...they are over-inflated. Something you may want to watch for.

Regards,
Jeff

[schuvwj]

Originally posted by jettle
schuvwj

I have heard in the past that is your tires are wearing in the middle...they are over-inflated. Something you may want to watch for.

Regards,
Jeff

Jeff over inflation has been one of my concerns since I've seen the rear tires wear like this. When I first bought her I ran 32 psi in front and rear. When I noticed the center tread wear at about 10,000 miles I deflated the rears to 28 psi and they still continued to wear down the center.???

Right now with the new tires I am running 28 psi in the rear and 32 psi in the front.

I did notice on the new tire labels it said not to spin tires over 35 mph. Maybe this wear was caused by too many high rpm burn-outs?

[schuvwj]

Originally posted by Stephen Soulsby
Got any pics?

Steve did you want to see pics of the newly mount tires or the worn old tires?

I would be happy to take a picture of her with the new tires but I left the old tires at the dealer.

[kurly]

Originally posted by schuvwj

So I put all new BFG’s from Tirerack.com on her yesterday at the F/M dealer. Bought the same size as the stock rear so I can rotate front to back. No problems with codes or clearance on the front! However they told me the front tire clearance was close but ok. Has anyone tried this with shorter or modified front springs? The Dealer charged me $60.00 to mount and balance all four and Tirerack.com charged me $83.00 per tire without shipping. I promised the person who was going to physically mount and balance my tires and rims that I would pay him $10 a rim if he did not scratch them. They looked perfect after he finished so I paid him! He did not want the money and said it was his job but I made him take it. I told him to take is wife out to dinner.


Good tips!

[jettle]

Did you check the pressure hot? When tires heat up they increase in pressure. Drive her around a bit and check em. Tire pressure is inaccurate if the car has sat overnight. If you already did this sorry, just a thought.

Jeff

[Stephen Soulsby]

I wanted to see some pics of the car with the newly mounted tires. I have been thinking about doing the same thing, but want to make sure they don't look goofy.

[wchain]

Originally posted by jettle
Did you check the pressure hot? When tires heat up they increase in pressure. Drive her around a bit and check em. Tire pressure is inaccurate if the car has sat overnight. If you already did this sorry, just a thought.

Jeff
IIRC, you're supposed to check tires when cold. Look at your VIN Sticker in the Door Jamb, Gas Cap, or Right Rear Door Jamb (wherever they list the Reccomended Pressure), they always list pressure as "COLD PSI/kPa"

Here is an article from the DOT about checking tire pressure.......

DOT Tire Pressure (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/TireSafety/ridesonit/takeone.html)
Checking Tire Pressure

Because tires may naturally lose air over time, it is important to check your tire pressure at least once a month. For convenience, purchase a tire pressure gauge to keep in your vehicle. Gauges can be purchased at tire dealerships, auto supply stores, and other retail outlets. Remember, the tire inflation number that vehicle manufacturers provide reflects the proper pounds per square inch (psi) when a tire is cold. To get an accurate tire pressure reading, measure tire pressure when the car has been unused for at least three hours.

Step 1: Locate the correct tire pressure on the tire information placard or in the owner’s manual.

Step 2: Record the tire pressure of all tires.

Step 3: If the tire pressure is too high in any of the tires, slowly release air by gently pressing on the tire valve with the edge of your tire gauge until you get to the correct pressure.

Step 4: If the tire pressure is too low, note the difference between the measured tire pressure and the correct tire pressure. These “missing” pounds of pressure are what you will need to add.

Step 5: At a service station, add the missing pounds of air pressure to each tire that is underinflated.

Step 6: Check all the tires to make sure they have the same air pressure (except in cases in which the front and rear tires are supposed to have different amounts of pressure).

[RCSignals]

I have been taught that tires are always to be checked when cold. Specified pressure is always with the tire cold

[jettle]

Yes, that is true about the listed Cold rating.

I have been riding motorcycles for years and you are supposed to check those after they warm up. Maybe I have been doing this wrong in my cars since I have always just done it the same for both types of rides. Although, it is more crucial to get an accurate reading on a bike than it is in your car.

Anyways, keep an eye on your pressure. If you are wearing out the centers on your tires they most likely are over-inflated.

Regards,
Jeff

[Krytin]

I had the same problem with my rear tires @ 22k miles - centers worn out. I also went the Tirerack route (went with stock rear size). My L&M dealer also mounted/balanced for $15 a piece (that's wierd). I'm down to 27 psi cold and the contact looks good - road dirt/dust sticks to clean tire only up to the corner off the tread - side walls not showing any wear/contact with road. Wear on my front tires is not bad - very slight wear on inside edges and no cupping.

[jettle]

So do these cars have too much negitive camber or is the wear from the car being so heavy? I bet this is going to make this even more of a problem when I install my Eibachs. :(

[jgc61sr2002]

Tires are always checked cold. I always check one tire (cold) before I go to the service station and note the tire pressure. The pressure usually goes up several pounds after just a few miles. Then inflate all tires as recommended.